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Thursday, October 25, 2012

Exploratory Data Analysis: Ellen (King) Wright (1868-1913)

Ellen (King) Wright (1868-1913) was my maternal 2nd-great grandmother. What follows is an exploratory analyis of the biographical data I have collected about her.1. Vital Records 1.1. Birth CertificateEllen was born August 24, 1868 in Frankton, Madison County, Indiana1. The State of Indiana did not require birth certificates prior to 1907. 1.1.1. Birth Notice in NewspaperI have not been able to locate any contemporary accounts of Ellen's birth. 1.1.2. Bible Record

I am not aware of surviving Bible record of the King family. I will continue to reach out to collateral relatives hoping to locate one. 1.1.3. Baptismal RecordI am not aware of any baptismal record for Ellen at this time, nor am I aware of the King family's church affiliation. 1.1.4. Adoption RecordThere is no indication that Ellen was adopted. 1.2. Marriage licenseEllen married on May 13, 1888 in Madison County, Indiana to John William Wright1,2. I've realized that I do not have a copy of their marriage license from Madison County. Will add this to my "to-do" list for my next research trip. 1.2.1. Marriage notice in newspaperWill need to search out contemporary newspapers to see if their nuptials were mentioned. 1.2.2. Anniversary noticeJohn and Ellen's 25th wedding anniversary would have been May 13, 1913. Need to search the local newspapers to see if mention was made. 1.2.3. Divorce decreeThere is no evidence that John and Ellen were ever divorced. 1.3. Death CertificateEllen died on December 24, 1913 in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana3. The cause of death was listed as mitral regurgitation. 1.3.1. Obituary in newspaperEllen's obituary appeared in the December 26, 1913 edition of the Alexandria Times-Tribune4. I need to search other local newspapers to see if mention was made of her death. 1.3.2. Funeral home recordsI need to check with the local historical society to see if there are any funeral home records that mention her. The obituary did not state which funeral home handled the arrangements. 1.3.3. Tombstone photographEllen's tombstone in the I.O.O.F. cemetery has been photographed. The tombstone lists her as "Ellen Wright 1868-1913".2. Census Records 2.1. Federal Census Records 2.1.1. 1910 Federal CensusOn May 5, 1910, Ellen was enumerated in the John W. Wright household in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana5 as Ellen Wright, wife, age 41, born in Indiana. She was the mother of 4 children, 2 of whom were living. She had been married for 23 years. Her father was born in the United States and her mother born in Indiana. She could read and write and spoke English. 2.1.2. 1900 Federal CensusOn June 27, 1900, Ellen was enumerated in the John W. Wright household in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana6 as Ellen Wright, wife, born August 1868, age 31, born in Indiana. She had been married for 14 years and was the mother of 3 children, 2 of whom were living. Both her parents were born in Indiana. She could read and write and spoke English. 2.1.3. 1880 Federal CensusOn June 28, 1880, Ellen was enumerated in the Wm. H. Cochran household in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana7 as Ellen King, age 11, stepdaughter. She was born in Indiana and her father born in Tennessee and mother born in Indiana. She had attended school within the year. 2.1.4. 1870 Federal CensusOn September 13, 1870, Ellen was enumerated in the Daniel King household in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana8 as Ellen King, age 2, female, born in Indiana. 2.2. State Census RecordsThe State of Indiana conducted state census in 1853, 1857, 1871, 1877, 1883, 1889, 1901, 1913, 1919 and 1921. These, however, were merely for the determination of legislative apportionment. 2.3. Agricultural Census RecordsI have not yet investigated these types of census records to see what information might be shed on the family farm and household.3. Military Records 3.1. Draft RegistrationNot applicable, as Ellen was female. 3.2. Pension RecordsI have found no evidence of military service by Ellen's father or husband. 3.3. Service RecordsNot applicable, as Ellen was female.4. Land Records 4.1. Deed RecordsDeed records need to be thoroughly searched in Madison County, Indiana. All evidence indicates that Ellen spent her entire adult life in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana. 4.2. Plat map / county mapMadison County published a plat map in 1880, 1891, 1893, 1901, 1910, 1915, 1921, 1923, 1923, 1931 and 1940 that might be relevant to my search for Ellen and the King and Wright families.5. Supplemental Records

This post was developed as part of the series relating to Building My 2011 Research Template, an attempt to systematically document and source the details of my ancestors' lives. Comments regarding this template and the conclusions drawn in this article are welcomed.